How To Optimise Your Resume For ATS

Resume
Written By Steph Woelfle

In today's competitive job market, getting your resume through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is often essential for securing an interview. ATS software helps streamline the hiring process for employers by scanning resumes for relevant information and ranking candidates based on how well their resumes align with the job description. To increase your chances of passing this automated filter (ie. robots) and standing out to hiring managers, your resume must be both ATS-friendly and engaging.

Here are 7 tips for creating an ATS-friendly resume:

1. Understand How ATS Works

An ATS scans resumes for keywords, formatting and relevance to the job description. It filters out those that don’t meet the criteria, often due to poor formatting, lack of keywords or incompatible file types.

  • Keyword Matching: The system looks for specific terms from the job ad, including job titles, skills and qualifications.

  • Formatting: Resumes with graphics, images and complex layouts may confuse the ATS, causing key information to be missed or misinterpreted.

  • Relevance: It ranks resumes based on how closely your experience and skills match the job requirements.

2. Tailor Your Resume to the Job Ad

To improve your chances of getting through an ATS, take the time to customise each resume for the specific job you’re applying for. Pay attention to the keywords and phrases in the job ad, such as required skills, responsibilities and qualifications, and incorporate them naturally into your resume.

  • Keywords: Use relevant variations, such as ‘project management’ and ‘managing projects,’ to cover a broad range of related skills.

  • Job Titles: If you can, align your previous job titles closely with those mentioned in the job ad (without altering the truth) to ensure maximum relevance.

3. Use Simple, Standard Formatting

ATS software prefer resumes that are clean, simple and easy to read. Although designs with multiple columns and graphics might look appealing to a human reader, they can be problematic for an ATS software.

  • Fonts: Stick to easy-to-read fonts such as Arial, Calibri, or Roboto.

  • File Types: Submitting a .docx file is often the safest choice as it’s widely accepted by ATS software. Some systems may have trouble analysing PDFs.

  • Structure: Use a single-column layout with clear section headings (eg. Work Experience, Skills, Education).

4. Optimise for Readability

While formatting for the ATS, keep in mind that a real person will eventually read your resume if it passes the system. Prioritise clarity, simplicity and consistency.

  • Bullet Points: Use bullet points to make information easy for recruiters and hiring managers to scan.

  • Consistent Formatting: Ensure your font sizes, bullet points and spacing are consistent throughout the document.

5. Avoid Complex Designs

Columns, tables and images might make your resume visually attractive, but ATS software often has difficulty reading them. Stick to a straightforward, single column layout without graphics to give your resume the best possible chance of getting past the ATS.

  • Avoid Visual Elements: Steer clear of images, icons and charts, which could confuse the system.

  • Single-Column Layout: A single column helps the ATS read your resume sequentially.

6. Use Standard Headings

Ensure your resume is divided into clearly labelled sections that are commonly recognised by ATS software. This helps the system correctly categorise your information.

Common section headings include:

  • Professional Summary: A brief overview of your career and key skills.

  • Skills: Highlight skills directly related to the job description.

  • Work Experience: Previous job titles, companies, start and end dates of employment, key achievements and measurable outcomes.

  • Education: Include degrees, institutions and graduation dates (if recent and relevant).

  • Referees: Names, companies, position titles and contact details of two professional referees.

7. Customise for Each Application

Even though you might use an ATS-optimised template, it's so important to tailor your resume for each job application. This includes:

  • Updating Keywords: Match keywords with the specific job description for each role.

  • Tailoring the Summary: Emphasise experiences and skills that are most relevant to the position.

  • Highlighting Achievements: Focus on measurable achievements and outcomes that relate directly to the job.

You might have a fantastic photo of yourself on your current resume – maybe that LinkedIn headshot where you’re looking extra sharp. While it might seem like a great idea to include it, the ATS disagrees.

After you’ve removed any images and gotten the formatting right, the next step is to focus on what really matters: showcasing your unique value. Think about the impact you've had in previous roles – how you have solved business problems and driven results – and ensure this is communicated effectively throughout your resume.

Optimising your resume for ATS creates a streamlined, well-structured and focused document that won’t just pass through the robots but will impress a hiring manager too. By following these tips, you’ll not only make it past the ATS but also into the hands of a real person, which is where you want to be.

Steph Woelfle
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